Pondicherry (Puducherry / புதுச்சேரி) | |
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Street in the White City (French Quarter) | |
Information | |
Country | ![]() |
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Region | Southern India |
Altitude | Between 3 and m |
Area | 23,740 km² |
Population | 654 392 hab. (2011) |
Density | 27 564,95 inhab./km² |
Postal code | 605001–605014 |
Spindle | UTC 05:30 |
Location | |
![]() 11 ° 55 ′ 48 ″ N 79 ° 49 ′ 48 ″ E | |
Official site | |
Pondicherry is a city ofIndia
Understand
Pondicherry was French until 1954, so many people speak French in this city.
To go
to arrive from Bangalore, there are buses all day and night. Count 8 h of transport and about 1000 rupees round trip for a Volvo bus with air conditioning.
Circulate
The preferred means of transport in Pondicherry is the rickshaw. But be careful, no driver will want to put the speedometer so the race has to be negotiated before leaving.
Until a few years ago, motorcycles, cars and other motor vehicles were rare in Pondicherry. Most people got around by bicycle. Now there are a lot more of them, which is a shame. However, this city is still one of the calmest and most peaceful in India for cycling (at certain times of the day). Lots of rental companies on Canal Street and Mission Street. When the heat is not too suffocating, it is really pleasant to walk around this charming little town in South India.
To see
The city of Pondicherry is divided in two by a canal. On one side the Indian city and on the other "white town / white city" the old colonial part on the seafront. In this part of the city you can see:
- Pondicherry Museum (in rue saint louis.)
Do
- 1 Pondy Cycle Tour 22 Candappa Moudaliar Street,
914134200718, e-mail : [email protected]
7 h - 9 h 30.
1200 INR. – SITA Cultural Center and My Vintage Bicyclette offer you a morning tour of Pondicherry aboard customized bicycles: the Wake up Pondy Tour. From the colorful buildings of the Muslim quarter to that of the Ashram, passing by the Goubert market and ending with the French Touch ’of the seaside, come and discover Pondicherry in the early morning, when only Pondicherry is up. Several stops are planned to relax tired legs and allow everyone to benefit from the explanations. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide and in a group of no more than 5 people, you will hear the kind of anecdotes that you cannot find in tourist guides! Children under 5 will be able to travel in seats behind their parents; two seats will be made available. A bottle of water will be provided to you before departure, so don't bring anything other than your camera! The starting point of the walk will be at SITA, go to 6 h 45 and back to 9 h for a well-deserved French or Indian breakfast. By reservation only
- 2 SITA Cultural Center 22 Candappa Moudaliar Street,
91 4134200718, 91 9944076128 (cellphone), e-mail : [email protected]
9 h - 13 h and15 h - 19 h 30. – SITA is a cultural center which offers many activities. Mixing Indian traditions and French influence, discover a whole range of diverse and varied activities that will enrich your stay in Pondicherry. From HipHop and Tango lessons to Bollywood, Bharata Natyam and Ballet lessons, several dance lessons are available for young and old alike! Come and try your hand at Indian and French culinary arts during classes offered several times a week. French and Tamil courses are also offered at SITA. You can also take classes in Yoga, Singing Bollywood, Children's Circus, Mehendi (henna tattoos) and Kolam. Guided bike tours are also offered every morning, the Wake Up Pondy Tour, in partnership with My Vintage Bicyclette.
To learn
Massage course
- The Healing Hands Center – Traditional Thai massage course. Five-day courses, ten-day courses and long-term vocational training courses, one month and more.
To buy
To move
Eat
Pondicherry has the best restaurants in India it seems, a reputation that is undoubtedly a little overrated. The city offers many choices in terms of restaurants, apart from Indian restaurants (north or south), you can eat Chinese, Thai, French, Italian and even go to restaurant chains such as KFC, Subway, Domino's Pizza, etc.
List of restaurants
French cuisine
- Coffee
This restaurant is located on Avenue Goubert, not far from the statue of Gandhi and in front of the seafront. The peculiarity of this restaurant is that it is classified Historical Heritage because it was built on the old Pondicherry port office (during colonization).
- Arts Cafe
Located at 10 rue Suffren, in the heart of the old "Pondi", the Café des Arts is one of the most emblematic restaurants in the city. The pancakes and waffles are the best in town.
- Baker street
One of the city's many French bakeries, Baker Street is located at 123 rue Bussy.
Indian cuisine (southern)
- Surguru
One of the best restaurants in its category, typical regional food at reasonable prices.
Have a drink / Go out
Housing
- Nilla Guesthouse (To 50 meters from the sea and near the white city) – allows you to discover all the charms of Pondicherry on foot. You will find three spacious rooms tastefully decorated in the calm of the fishermen's quarter. Guests benefit from free wifi everywhere in the guesthouse, they can enjoy cold drinks on the two large terraces with a spectacular panoramic view of the sea and the city. The best surprise: prices from Rs 1000 per night at this place it's unbeatable!
- Full Moon Guest house E Coast Rd (between downtown Pondicherry and Auroville / the beaches.),
91 9600210094 room available from 12 h, to be released before 10 h 30.
550 Rs, air conditioning option 150 Rs. – The guest house consists of five studios and two unique bedrooms with their own private bathroom. Five of the seven bedrooms have an equipped kitchen (fridge, electric hob, kitchen utensils, etc.), while the other two bedrooms have a balcony (countryside view). The rooms with a kitchen are ideal for a long stay, especially for families.
- Guest house "Lumière" – in a garden of the French city, near the sea, quiet, and very clean. Very friendly, we meet a lot of travelers and we speak French.
Cheap
- Villa Pondicherry – The Villa Pondichéry is located in the uppalam district, not far from the Stadium, next to the Saint François Xavier church and in front of the Volontariat de Madame Deblic association. 5 slightly dark rooms, with spartan comfort with or without bathroom. Count from 600 to 800 rupees a night. It is time for the boss to refresh the painting which is starting to date. Otherwise good atmosphere.
Manage the day-to-day
Diplomatic representations
France 2 Marine Street,
91 413 223 1000, fax : 91 413 223 1001 – General Consulate